ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // Christ came to earth to make all people part of His Church - His beloved bride - as this hymn [and Scripture] say. Where Jesus’ promise of forgiveness is present, the Church exists, and those who are without a shepherd have the Good Shepherd in Jesus’ promise.

Stanza 2 // When God gives His promise - whether through Christ or those He sends with the good news of the Gospel - those with ears to hear demand to know this promise. The church is “elect from every nation” and “yet one” because it is united in one Lord, one faith, and one birth - the promise of Christ given to sinners.

Stanza 3 // There is no rest in the world, even for those named as part of Christ’s Church. Being drafted as one of Jesus’ apostles did little to help the disciples’ cause - and this is still true today. Whatever “weeping” we suffer in this life, Christ gives us a “song” to sing - that we might know peace and comfort in Chirst, even as we strain to know Him in the struggles of this life.

Stanza 4 // This world does not offer the rest we desire. We long for rest from work, sickness, disease, and death. These are a small slice of the trials and tribulation in which we live. In the midst of these, Jesus promises victorious rest in His promise, that what we long for might be given freely by God’s grace.

Stanza 5 // The rest Christ promises is ours today, for we share the same promise with all who in the past have clamored for the word of the Lord, and now rest from their labors in Jesus Christ. The final cry of this hymn is not unlike the crowds who close in on Christ - “Lord, save us by your grace!”

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

ELW 654 - The Church’s One Foundation - AURELIA

ELW 332/611 - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - THIRD MODE MELODY // KINGSFOLD

ELW 604 - O Christ, Our Hope - LOBT GOTT, IHR CHRISTEN

ELW 607 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - CONSOLATOR

ELW 654 - The Church’s One Foundation - AURELIA

ELW 657 - Rise, O Sun of Righteousness - SONNE DER GERECHTIGKEIT

ELW 764 - Have No Fear, Little Flock - LITTLE FLOCK

ELW 789 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us - BRADBURY

LBW 300 - O Christ, Our Hope - LOBT GOTT, IHR CHRISTEN

LBW 369 - The Church’s One Foundation - AURELIA

LBW 476 - Have No Fear, Little Flock - LITTLE FLOCK

LBW 481 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us - BRADBURY

LBW 497 - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - THIRD MODE MELODY

LSB 553 - O Christ, Our Hope - ICH SINGE DIR

LSB 644 - The Church’s One Foundation - AURELIA

LSB 684 - Come unto Me, Ye Weary - ANTHES

LSB 699 - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - SARAH-ELIZABETH

LSB 711 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us - BRADBURY

LSB 735 - Have No Fear, Little Flock - LITTLE FLOCK

RH 88 - The Church’s One Foundation - AURELIA

RH 185 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - CONSOLATOR

RH 202 - Have No Fear, Little Flock - LITTLE FLOCK

RH 205 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us - BRADBURY

RH 241 - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - THIRD MODE MELODY

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // For a hymn listed to be sung in celebration of All Saints’ Day, this text has much to teach us about what it means to be named a saint. At all times - most especially when “all around seems bleak” - saints rely solely on “God’s good promise” in life and death.

Stanza 2 // The hope of John the Baptist [and King Herod] is the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. This same hope has been given to us today, greater than all the kingdoms of the world, a “beacon ever bright” even when the world serves our head on a platter to those in power.

Stanza 3 // The concerns of this weekend’s cast of characters is what they want, what they desire, and their own preservation. John the Baptist lived [and died] as one who pointed in faith to Jesus Christ. This is what it means to show God’s love in all we say and do, that God’s concerns might be our own, and God’s love shown through the lives God gives.

Stanza 4 // With all the saints of our Lord’s Church, we share the One who is the “way, truth, and life” - and is their and our way through life and death! Whether saints of “ages past” or those “alive today” - we rely on God’s promise and give thanks to walk the way of faith God gives.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

ELW 428 - Give Thanks for Saints - REPTON

ELW 418 - Rejoice in God’s Saints - LAUDATE DOMINUM

ELW 421 - By All Your Saints - KUORTANE [stanzas 1, 2 and/or 14, and Last]

ELW 424 - Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

ELW 428 - Give Thanks for Saints - REPTON

ELW 429 - In Our Day of Thanksgiving - ST. CATHERINE’S COURT

ELW 776 - What God Ordains Is Good Indeed - WAS GOTT TUT

ELW 786 - O Holy Spirit, Enter In - WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET

ELW 812/813 - Faith of Our Fathers - ST. CATHERINE

LBW 175 - Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

LBW 178 - By All Your Saints in Warfare - KING’S LYNN [stanzas 1, 15, and 3]

LBW 446 - What God Ordains Is Always Good - WAS GOTT TUT

LBW 459 - O Holy Spirit, Enter In - WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET

LBW 500 - Faith of Our Fathers - ST. CATHERINE

LSB 518 - By All Your Saints in Warfare - KING’S LYNN [stanzas 1, 2 and 18]

LSB 670 - Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

LSB 760 - What God Ordains Is Always Good - WAS GOTT TUT

LSB 913 - O Holy Spirit, Enter In - WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET

RH 174 - Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

RH 216 - Faith of Our Fathers - ST. CATHERINE

ZACHARY'S NOTES

Stanza 1 // God’s Word comes in the flesh to those who are bound to the ways of the earth to give a promise that will “pierce the darkness” - even to those who would reject Jesus Christ.

Stanza 2 // This promise is not new, but one of mercy God consistently gave to those who were both “blind and willful” - much as described in this weekend’s Gospel reading. Christ continually seeks those who do not want Him - even those who killed Him - that we might know the mercy of Almighty God.

Stanza 3 // God’s Word and promise is not only relevant in his hometown, and though unwelcomed by sinful hearts, God’s compassion is seen in the face of Christ, which extends through all ages that we might know the Lord’s unfair justice and abounding grace.

Stanza 4 // As this weekend’s reading concludes, so this hymn also ends with a call of sending to “every land and race” that “myriad tongues” may celebrate the gift of God in Jesus Christ.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 507 - O God of Light - ATKINSON

ELW 509 - God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage - EIN FESTE BURG

ELW 513 - Listen, God is Calling - NENO LAKE MUNGU

ELW 514 - O Word of God Incarnate - MUNICH

ELW 517 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

ELW 519 - Open Your Ears, O Faithful People - YISRAEL V’ORAITA

ELW 575 - In Christ Called to Baptize - ST. DENIO

ELW 579 - Lord, You Give the Great Commission - ABBOT’S LEIGH

ELW 675 - O Christ, Our Light, O Radiance True - O JESU CHRISTE, WAHRES LICHT

ELW 737 - He Comes to Us as One Unknown - REPTON

LBW 230 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

LBW 231 - O Word of God Incarnate - MUNICH

LBW 239 - God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage - EIN FESTE BURG

LBW 380 - O Christ, Our Light, O Radiance True - O JESU CHRISTE, WAHRES LICHT

LSB 523 - O Word of God Incarnate - MUNICH

LSB 582/582a - God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage - REUTER // EIN FESTE BURG [alternate]

LSB 655 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

LSB 833 - Listen, God is Calling - NENO LAKE MUNGU

LSB 836/836a - O God of Light - ATKINSON

LSB 839 - O Christ, Our True and Only Light - O JESU CHRISTE, WAHRES LICHT

RH 70 - God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage - EIN FESTE BURG

RH 71 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

RH 266 - From Greelnad’s Icy Mountains - MISSIONARY HYMN

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // Though the crowds and leaders attempt to push Christ’s promise of life aside, nothing will stop our Lord from delivering this gift to sinners. This hymn is an invitation that nothing would stand in our way to sing the “glories of [our] God and King” and “the triumphs of His grace” over all that brings us fear.

Stanza 2 // We may admire the faith of those in this weekend’s Gospel text - falling at Chirst’s feet or straining to touch His clothing - it is Christ who finally offers the Word we most need! This is a prayer that the Word of resurrection Christ has promised would “spread through all the earth” - a wonderful contrast with the conclusion of this weekend’s text. This promise is no longer kept in secret, but with God’s assistance, proclaimed and sung far and wide!

Stanza 3 // The music of the Church is to be the “life, health, and peace” of Christ, by whose name we have “charm” or delight in our “fear” and an end to all “sorrow.”

Stanza 4 // As this weekend’s Gospel text assets, the dead are raised by Christ’s speaking. Sometimes, we can think of this as Jesus’ version of magic, but this hymn suggests even the dead “hear his voice” - much like those who fight through crowds to see the Lord! This hymn even gives a place for the “mournful” to rejoice - those who have experienced death! It is these Christ has come to raise to new life!

Stanza 5 // Even those who seem to take great personal pride in seeking out the goodness of God are saved by “faith alone!” Christ says as much to the woman in this weekend’s text. To the leader, He has faith when those around Him write off Christ’s power. Likewise, we are saved only by the gift of faith God gives - by this, Jesus is “our Savior!”

Stanza 6 // When Christ speaks a word of new life, the entire Church is involved in this singing - the “saints below” and “saints above” sing hymns of praise to Jesus Christ, whether on earth or in heaven, for all are held in Jesus’ promise of resurrection and new life.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 886 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

ELW 452 - Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death - AZMON

ELW 511 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

ELW 607 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - CONSOLATOR

ELW 610 - O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come - DISTRESS

ELW 621 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

ELW 858 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN

ELW 886 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

LBW 233 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

LBW 340 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

LBW 360 - O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come - DISTRESS

LBW 543 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN

LBW 559 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

LSB 578 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

LSB 697 - Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death - AZMON

LSB 741 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

LSB 790 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN

LSB 528 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

RH 11 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN

RH 30 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

RH 185 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - CONSOLATOR

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // Though this one stanza may seem to be a trite retelling of this weekend’s Gospel reading, Scripture proves we need to hear this word more than once! Jesus’ calming of the sea [and storms of our life] are done in the same way - with His Word of peace. Christ both rebukes the waves and His followers in this weekend’s reading - “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” This hymn addresses the true accomplishment of Christ on the Sea of Galilee - that his faithless followers are led to wonder - “Who is this?” This hymn provides an answer! Christ is the one - with the same Word of peace - brings balm to our hearts, fears to an end, and calm by His promise of peace.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 794 - Calm to the Waves - CALM SEAS

ELW 755 - Jesus Savior, Pilot Me - PILOT

ELW 756 - Eternal Father, Strong to Save - MELITA

ELW 766 - Lord of our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

ELW 769 - If You But Trust in God to Guide You - WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

ELW 788 - If God My Lord Be for Me - IST GOTT FÜR MICH

ELW 794 - Calm to the Waves - CALM SEAS

LBW 334 - Jesus Savior, Pilot Me - PILOT

LBW 366 - Lord of our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

LBW 453 - If You But Trust in God to Guide You - WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

LBW 454 - If God Himself Be for Me - IST GOTT FÜR MICH

LBW 467 - Eternal Father, Strong to Save - MELITA

LSB 659 - Lord of our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

LSB 715 - Jesus Savior, Pilot Me - PILOT

LSB 717 - Eternal Father, Strong to Save - MELITA

LSB 724 - If God Himself Be for Me - IST GOTT FÜR MICH

LSB 750 - If You But Trust in God to Guide You - WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

RH 6 - Eternal Father, Strong to Save - MELITA

RH 220 - Jesus Savior, Pilot Me - PILOT

RH 222 - If You Will Trust in God to Guide You - WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // This is a prayer that the reign or kingdom of God would spread throughout the earth. The stanzas to follow make clear this is God’s work - not our own. We do not pray to ourselves, but to God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is God - our “Creator” - who calls us by name and bestows the “gifts” of “heaven.”

Stanza 2 // This stanza reminds us of the insignificance with which we treated our Lord, the One we nailed to the cross to bear the price of our rebellion. Yet, this seemingly insignificant death is “our Redeemer’s” grace [or favor] for sinners - that we might be “saved.”

Stanza 3 // It is the Holy Spirit who is not only given to “guide to heaven” but to “will and do” the kingdom [or faith] Christ comes to bring. As this weekend’s parable points out, we do not know how faith [or the Holy Spirit] works - this is God’s doing, and God’s will that faith be given to you.

Stanza 4 // When God is “Lord of [the] harvest” it means God is at work in the most insignificant things of life to give His promise. By water and Word, bread and wine, and the spoken, perfect, Word of a sinner, God’s “greatest” gift is given! The “gathering nations all” see Christ’s “light” and hear His “call.”

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 663 - Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word - GOTT SEI DANK

ELW 181-184 - Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Lord

ELW 516 - Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast - ST. FLAVIAN

ELW 533 - Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty - UNSER HERRSCHER

ELW 550 - On What Has Now Been Sown - DARWALL’S 148TH

ELW 663 - Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word - GOTT SEI DANK

ELW 679 - For the Fruit of All Creation - AR HYD Y NOS

ELW 689 - Praise and Thanksgiving - BUNESSAN

ELW 880 - O God beyond All Praising - THAXTED

LBW 234 - Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast - ST. FLAVIAN

LBW 250 - Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty - UNSER HERRSCHER

LBW 261 - On What Has Now Been Sown - DARWALL’S 148TH

LBW 379 - Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word - GOTT SEI DANK

LBW 409 - Praise and Thanksgiving - BUNESSAN

LBW 563 - For the Fruit of All Creation - SANTA BARBARA

LSB 577 - Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast - ST. FLAVIAN

LSB 789 - Praise and Thanksgiving - BUNESSAN

LSB 830 - Spread the Reign of God the Lord - GOTT SEI DANK

LSB 894 - For the Fruit of His Creation - AR HYD Y NOS

LSB 901 - Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty - UNSER HERRSCHER

LSB 921 - On What Has Now Been Sown - DARWALL’S 148TH

RH 46 - Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty - UNSER HERRSCHER

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // When Christ “enters” our “human story” he comes to destroy all of the stories we tell ourselves and one another. The Pharisees who placed limits on God’s action in the Law - Jesus comes that we might know “unbounded grace” in His Word.

Stanza 2 // We rise, shine, and sing to Christ because of what He comes to accomplish. Our Lord comes to those “surrounded by death and sin” - to send “the pow’r of evil reeling” and give those without hope “freedom, light…life, and healing.” Where even Scripture causes us to ask whether we have spoken and acted against God’s name, Christ comes to forgive.

Stanza 3 // The strength of Christ to bind the devil and come for sinners is the power Christ gives to His people! This is “our song” and “our prayer” as God’s forgiven people - that the world would see and appreciate God for who He is and what He has done.

Stanza 4 // When Christ makes us a “new creation” by His promise, we see a God “outside His mind” as God at work for us, saving and giving us freedom.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 665 - Rise, Shine, You People! // WOJTKIEWIECZ

ELW 503/504 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - EIN FESTE BURG

ELW 517 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

ELW 621 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESU, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

ELW 665 - Rise, Shine, You People! - WOJTKIEWIECZ

ELW 766 - Lord of Our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

ELW 843 - Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness - NETTLETON

LBW 228/229 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - EIN FESTE BURG

LBW 230 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

LBW 340 - Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense - JESU, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

LBW 366 - Lord of Our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

LBW 393 - Rise, Shine, You People! - WOJTKIEWIECZ

LSB 655 - Lord, Keep Us Steafast In Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

LSB 656/657 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - EIN FESTE BURG

LSB 659 - Lord of Our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

LSB 666 - O LIttle Flock, Fear Not the Foe - KOMMT HER ZU MIR

LSB 741 - Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense - JESU, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

LSB 825 - Rise, Shine, You People! - WOJTKIEWIECZ

LSB 849 - Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness - NETTLETON

RH 71 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

RH 169/170 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - EIN FESTE BURG

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // The day of rest is the Sabbath - made for those who rest in the presence of Almighty God! It is a day of rest because we know and worship the Triune God, who brings us a “balm for care and sadness.”

Stanza 2 // This day of rest is not something invented for the benefit of congregations, member engagement, or hymn-singing! In what can sound like a litany to the “day of rest” - these words really tell us of God’s work. On “you” the Father created the world. On “you” Christ “rose from depths.” On “you” the Spirit [was] sent from heaven.” This is the three-fold light in which we rest as God’s people.

Stanza 3 // While the second stanza lists many past events, the blessings of this “day” were made for God’s people in all generations - both those of the past and for us today! As God acted for His people in the past, so we are given “manna from heaven” called by God’s Spirit to hear the Gospel preached, and given “living water” in Holy Baptism.

Stanza 4 // When God creates a day for our rest, it may sound strange to say we “reach the rest remaining” - but this is what God promises for those who die “in the Lord!” There is blessing even here, because of the “new graces” God pours out each day we rest in Jesus’ Word of forgiveness. As Luther reminds us, it is this good news which keeps the Sabbath holy, that we might rest in Jesus’ promise today and forever.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 521 - O Day of Rest and Gladness - ELLACOMBE

ELW 511 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

ELW 513 - Listen, God Is Calling - NENO LAKE MUNGU

ELW 520 - Dearest Jesus, at Your Word - LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER

ELW 579 - Lord, You Give the Great Commission - ABBOT’S LEIGH

ELW 645 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - WESTMINSTER ABBEY

ELW 652 - Built on a Rock - KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS

LBW 233 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

LBW 248 - Dearest Jesus, at Your Word - LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER

LBW 251 - O Day of Rest and Gladness - ELLACOMBE

LBW 367 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - EDEN CHURCH

LBW 365 - Built on a Rock - KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS

LSB 578 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

LSB 645 - Built on a Rock - KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS

LSB 833 - Listen, God Is Calling - NENO LAKE MUNGU

LSB 904 - Blessed Jesus, at Your Word - LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER

LSB 906 - O Day of Rest and Gladness - ELLACOMBE

LSB 909 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - WESTMINSTER ABBEY

RH 91 - Built on a Rock - KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS

RH 203 - Dearest Jesus, at Your Word - LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER